ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Rabi Crops Sowing Crosess 442 Lakh Hectare
As per preliminary reports received from the States, the total area sown under Rabi crops as on 8th December, 2017 stands at 442.29 lakh hectares as compared to 448.48 lakh hectare this time in 2016.
Wheat has been sown/transplanted in 190.87 lakh hectares, rice in 11.87 lakh hectares, pulses in 127.62 lakh hectares, coarse cereals in 44.14 lakh hectares and area sown under oilseeds is 67.79 lakh hectares.
The area sown so far and that sown during last year this time is as follows:
Lakh hectare
|
|
Crop
|
|
Area sown in 2017-18
|
|
Area sown in 2016-17
|
|
Wheat
|
|
190.87
|
|
203.56
|
|
Rice
|
|
11.87
|
|
8.98
|
|
Pulses
|
|
127.62
|
|
119.73
|
|
Coarse Cereals
|
|
44.14
|
|
44.05
|
|
Oilseeds
|
|
67.79
|
|
72.16
|
|
Total
|
|
442.29
|
|
448.48
SS/: weather watch 8.12.2017
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah wishes the countrymen on International Mother Language Day
When a child reads, speaks and thinks in their mother tongue, it enhances his potential to think, reason, analyze and research
Keeping this in mind, the Government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has emphasized on education in mother tongue through 'New Education Policy', this will become the basis of India's bright future
This is the day to take resolution to connect with our mother tongue and make it more prosperous
When a person makes his mother tongue prosperous only then all the languages of the country will be prosperous and the country will also be prosperous, take a pledge to make maximum use of your mother tongue
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah wishes the countrymen on International Mother Language Day.
Through his tweets, the Union Home Minister expressed his best wishes to all on International Mother Language Day. He said that this is the day to take resolution to connect with our mother tongue and make it more prosperous. When a person make his mother tongue prosperous only then all the languages of the country will be prosperous and the country will also be prosperous. We should take a pledge to make maximum use of our mother tongue.
Shri Amit Shah said that when a child reads, speaks and thinks in his mother tongue, it enhances his potential to think, reason, analyze and research. Keeping this in mind, the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has emphasized on education in mother tongue through 'New Education Policy'. This will become the basis of India's bright future.
Ministry of Tourism
17 sites in 12 clusters being developed as Iconic Tourism Sites: Shri Prahlad Singh Patel
The Ministry of Tourism has identified 17 sites in 12 clusters in the country for development as Iconic Tourism Sites namely Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri , Ajanta & Ellora , Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort & Qutub Minar , Colva , Amer Fort , Somnath & Dholavira , Khajuraho , Hampi , Mahabalipuram , Kaziranga , Kumarakom  and Mahabodhi Temple .
The Ministry shall be developing the above sites in collaboration with the Central Ministries, State Governments and Local Bodies, in a holistic manner, with focus on issues concerning connectivity to the destination, better facilities/experience for the tourists at the site, skill development, involvement of local community, promotion & branding and by bringing private investment.
The information was given by Minister of State  for Culture and Tourism, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM urges everyone to mark Yoga Day and make Yoga a part of daily lives
Shares a film on ‘Yoga in our daily lives’
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has urgedeveryone to mark Yoga Day and make Yoga a part of daily lives. Shri Modi also shared a film on ‘Yoga in our daily lives’.
In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said:
“In the coming days, the world will mark International Day of Yoga. I urge you all to mark Yoga Day and make Yoga a part of your daily lives. The benefits are many…
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
MoRTH invites public suggestions on enforcing BIS certification for two-wheeler helmets
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a draft notification for bringing Protective Helmets for two wheelers rider under compulsory certification as per Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. This will enable to have only BIS certified helmets for two wheelers to be manufactured and sold in India. It will also improve the quality of two wheeler helmets and would improve road safety scenario, and further would be helpful in reducing fatal injuries involving two wheelers.
The suggestions or comments in this respect can be sent to the Joint Secretary , Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Transport Bhavan, Parliament Street, New Delhi-110001  within thirty days from the date of notification.
Ministry of Law and Justice
Training of Law Interns
The Government through its Tele-Lawinitiativeprovides pre-litigation advice and consultation to the citizens through a cadre of Panel Lawyers via tele-video conferencing facilities available at the Common Service Centers and throughCitizens’ Tele-Law Mobile Application. So far 854 Panel Lawyers have been on-boarded under Tele-Law.To maximize the benefits of Tele-Law reach to the vulnerable sections of society, law students in particularand students in general are motivated to volunteer and register as Para legal Volunteers  on the Citizens’ Tele-Law Mobile App.
National Legal Service Authority  conducts 3-weekinternshipprogramme for law students during summer and winter period of the year. The objective of the internship programme is that law interns get a comprehensive idea of the working of the Legal Services Institutions and the legal services programmes with regional focus. During this internship the students visit Central jail or Sub Jail and interact with the inmates to find out if they are represented by a counsel and find out the difficulties of inmates, observe the working of the Legal Services Clinics, visit Observation Home/Juvenile Justice Board/Child Welfare Committee/Drug Rehabilitation Centre/District Courts including Magisterial, Sessions and Civil courts and police stations and look at the role of the legal services lawyers in these institutions. The students also attend and participate in Legal Literacy/Legal awareness programmes. On successful completion of the internship a certificate is issued to the law interns.
This information was given by the Minister for Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
If women get education then next generation will flourish: Dr.Kanimozhi NVN Somu MP
If women get education then the next generation will flourish, said Dr.Kanimozhi NVN Somu MP. Central Bureau of Communication, Press Information Bureau in association with National Service Scheme, University of Madras and DOT School of Design, Ambattur organized a three day conference on ‘Women Empowerment & General Equality and Photo Exhibition on ‘Iconic Women from Tamil Nadu” in connection with International Women’s Day 2023.
While addressing the valedictory function of the Conference and Photo Exhibition which held today, the Chief Guest Dr. Kanimozhi NVN Somu MP said, women are not weaker sex. This wrong notion has been manipulated by the men. We should respect women. In those days, access to education was not possible for women but my mother played an important role which made my brother and myself to become doctors.
My father who was a strong supporter of Social justice ideology had been firm in giving equal rights to women. Women should be in the forefront in getting education and getting employments. The future mother of the society should properly bring up their male child in a manner to given respect to women,’ she said.Renowned Actor Dr. V.T.M. Charle while speaking, ‘if any nation wants to develop, then the women in the society should develop. Women are not weaker sex, but they are the stronger sex. I understood the power of women from my mother.
While delivering the presidential address Thiru M. Annadurai, Press Information Bureau, Additional Director General said, both men and women are same and there should not be any inequality between them. In our society opportunities should not be denied to women. All the students should work hard without wasting their valuable time to become successful in their lives.
DOT School of Design Founder – Chairman Thiru AR R Raammnath delivered the welcome address. As part of the 3 day conference is various competitions including Elocution, Short film, Poster design had been organized and the winners were given rewards and certificates.
-----
AP/GS/KPG/RJ
(
Ministry of Defence
INDO-UZBEKISTAN JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE 'DUSTLIK ' COMMENCES AT PITHORAGARH 
The 4th edition of joint military exercise ‘DUSTLIK’ between the Indian Army and Uzbekistan Army commenced today in Foreign Training Node, Pithoragarh . 45 Soldiers each from Uzbekistan and Indian Army are participating in this exercise which is aimed at promoting positive relations between both the armies. The Indian Army contingent comprises of troops from an Infantry Battalion from the Garhwal Rifles Regiment. The first edition of the exercise was held at Uzbekistan in November 2019.
The 14 days long joint exercise would focus on joint counter-terrorist operations in mountainous and semi-urban scenario under UN mandate and will include field training exercises, combat discussions, lectures, demonstrations and culminate with a validation exercise. Both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of tactical drills for neutralisation of likely threats, while learning to exploit new generation equipment and technology for conducting joint operations. Due emphasis is being laid on increasing interoperability between forces.
The bonhomie, espirit-de-corps and goodwill generated during the exercise will go a long way in further strengthening the bonds between both armies by enabling understanding of each other’s organisation and methodology of conducting various operations.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 104.5Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 11.65 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalizationofthe COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
|
VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
1,04,58,46,415
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
11,65,54,028
More than 104.5crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than11.65 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
President's Secretariat
President’s Milad-Un-Nabi greetings
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind in his message on the eve of Milad-un-Nabi has said: -
“On the auspicious occasion of Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of the Prophet, I extend my good wishes to all fellow citizens, especially to my Muslim brothers and sisters”.
Please click here for hindi text
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Schemes for Women and Youth
To create an enabling ecosystem for Entrepreneurship Development through entrepreneurship education and training across the Country, Pilot project on Pradhan Mantri Yuva Udyamita Vikas Abhiyaan  Yojana 2.0 is under implementation through the Institutes in the Skill Ecosystem of the Ministry i.e. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras , Industrial Training Institutes , Polytechnics, Jan Shikshan Sansthan  and Recognition of Prior Learning  Training Centres.
Further, to promote a culture of entrepreneurship among India’s youth and inspire them to set-up their own enterprise and create employment opportunities for others, Government has instituted National Entrepreneurship Awards Scheme  in 2016. Under the Scheme, awards are conferred to the aspiring first generation entrepreneurs to recognize and honour their efforts and achievements and those individuals/organizations who are working as eco-system builder in the field of entrepreneurship development. Under the Scheme, there is a provision of 3 awards in sub-category under Enterprises Track exclusively for Women Entrepreneurs.
Besides, Government is providing financial support to the aspiring entrepreneurs through Stand-up India Scheme in the form of Bank Loan of between Rs. 10 lakh and 1 crore to at least one Scheduled Caste  or Scheduled Tribe  borrower and at least one woman borrower per bank branch for setting up a greenfield enterprise in trading, services or manufacturing sector. As on 15.11.2019, a total of Rs. 14,761.97 crore as loan amount has been given to women entrepreneurs.
Furthermore, with the objective to enable aspiring entrepreneur/existing entrepreneurs to setup or expand their business activities, under the Scheme Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana , aspiring entrepreneur/existing entrepreneurs can avail a collateral free loan upto Rs. 10 lakh in the non agricultural sector for activities allied to agriculture. Under the Scheme, a total of Rs. 4,62,115.61 crore of loan amount has been provided to women entrepreneurs as on 15.11.2019.
In addition to the above, a loan facilitator and skill training programme is going on through Rural Self Employment Training Institutes  under which assistance is given to aspiring entrepreneurs in the form of bank credit and skill training through RSETI to become self-employed and start their own micro enterprises with focus on rural poor. Presently, 583 RSETIs are functioning in 27 States  and 6 UTs .
This information was given by the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri R.K. Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Education
No hindrance in getting scholarship on time, eligible students will receive scholarship on 30th of the month without fail - Shri Prakash Javadekar
Study in India programme has taken off, nearly 2000 students have got admission in selected 100 Indian Institutions – Shri Prakash Javadekar
Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar today assured students that no student will face any difficulty in getting scholarship amount on time. He said that government has thoroughly reviewed the system and from the month of November we have started crediting each scholarship beneficiary account with the scholarship amount by 30th of each month. Special grant of Rs. 250 Crore has been sanctioned to complete the backlog of scholarship amount and all backlog has been cleared now. He further said that nearly 2.44 lakh students get benefit of various scholarships which are run by MHRD, AICTE and UGC. Government is spending nearly Rs. 4000 Crore amount on these scholarship schemes. Shri Prakash Javadekar was briefing media in New Delhi today.
He further named various scholarship schemes which are running successfully under MHRD, AICTE and UGC. National Means-Cum Merit Scholarship Scheme, Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students and Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir under MHRD, Scholarship for Girls  , Scholarship for Differently abled Students under AICTE and “ISHAN UDAY” Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region under UGC, JRF etc are some of the noteworthy scholarship schemes of HRD Ministry, he said.
The Union Minister also informed that Study in India program has taken off well and nearly 2000 students have got admission in selected 100 top Indian Institutions for the first season. He said that we are expecting nearly 20,000 foreign students from 30 Asian, African, Middle East and Commonwealth of Independent States  countries under this program in next 3 years.
The Minister said that the "Study in India’ is an innovative initiative to attract students from our partner countries in South Asia, South-East Asia, Middle East and Africa to come and experience the very best of academic learning from the top institutions in India. The program includes setting-up of a large portal, call centre, social media campaign, branding, event management and setting up of a facilitation centre to attract more and more foreign students towards Indian Institutions.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Shri Nitin Gadkari holds bilateral meeting with delegation of French Industrialists
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari held a bilateral meeting with the delegation of French Industrialists led by H.E France Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain, Members of Embassy of France in India & MoRTH Officers today.
Discussions were related to potential collaboration on new technologies for developing world class infrastructure and optimal cost. New opportunity areas like Ropeways, Alternative Fuels and Construction materials were also discussed.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Department of Youth Affairs organises an interaction session titled ‘Yuva Samvad: India @2047’ under the year long Yuva Samvad series initiated last month
2000 Youth from India have been sent abroad and similar number of foreign youth have been received in India under International Youth Exchange Programmes since 2014: Shri Sanjay Kumar
An interaction session titled “YuvaSamvad: India@2047” was organized by the Department of Youth Affairs under the Chairship of Secretary  with the youth delegates who have been sent abroad to various countries as a part of Indian Youth Delegation to participate in various International Youth Exchange Programmes organized by the Department of Youth Affairs. The interaction session was organized on 13th September 2022 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi which was also attended by other senior officers of the Ministry and the representatives of UNICEF, UNDP and UNV.
The event was a part of the series of Yuva Samvad initiated on 12th August, 2022 which was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur at Akashwani Bhawan, New Delhi.
Secretary Youth Affairs, Shri Sanjay Kumar welcomed the delegates who travelled from various parts of the country to participate in the session and informed the delegates that, since 2014, around 2000 youth from India have been sent abroad and similar number of foreign youth have been received in India under International Youth Exchange Programmes  and various other prestigious bilateral summits viz. BRICS, Y20, IBSA, World Youth Forums etc. Secretary Youth Affairs also sought views from the youth participants on how to have a long-lasting engagement with the Indian Youth delegates sent abroad and also the foreign youth delegates who visited India under various IYEPs.
Director  gave a presentation, briefing the youth participants about the G20, G20 Presidency of India in 2023 and the Youth 20 Summit that has to be organized by Department of Youth Affairs during India’s G20 Presidency. UNICEF and UNDP also gave presentations on Draft Youth Policy and Youth Volunteerism in India respectively.
During the Interaction session discussions were held on India’s upcoming G20 presidency with specific reference to Youth 20 . Department of Youth Affairs has been entrusted with the responsibility to organize Y20 Summit during India’s G20 presidency.
Many relevant and useful suggestions were received from the enthusiastic youth participants during the interactive session titled “YuvaSamvad: India@2047”. Delegates expressed willingness to volunteer on various aspects of Youth 20 Summit to be organized by this Department next year.
Ministry of Finance
CBDT extends date till 31.3.18 for linking of Aadhaar with PAN
Under the provisions of recently introduced section 139AA of the Income-tax Act, 1961 , with effect from 01.07.2017, all taxpayers having Aadhaar Number or Enrolment Number are required to link the same with Permanent Account Number . In view of the difficulties faced by some of the taxpayers in the process, the date for linking of Aadhaar with PAN was initially extended till 31st August, 2017 which was further extended upto 31st December, 2017.
It has come to notice that some of the taxpayers have not yet completed the linking of PAN with Aadhaar. Therefore, to facilitate the process of linking, it has been decided to further extend the time for linking of Aadhaar with PAN till 31.03.2018.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
202.79 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
27,37,235 doses administered in last 24 hours
India's Active caseload currently stands at 1,45,026
Active cases stand at 0.33%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.47%
20,742 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to
4,32,67,571
18,313 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
87.36 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 4,25,337 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of External Affairs
Signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of Cybersecurity between India and Japan
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing a Memorandum of Cooperation  in the field of cybersecurity between India and Japan.
The MoC will enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, which include inter-alia, capacity building in the area of cyberspace; protection of critical infrastructure; cooperation in emerging technologies; sharing information on cyber security threats/incidents and malicious cyber activities, as well as best practices to counter them; Developing joint mechanisms for practical cooperation to mitigate cyber threats to the security of Information Communication Technology  infrastructure etc.
India and Japan commit to an open, interoperable, free, fair, secure and reliable cyberspace environment and to promote the Internet as an engine of innovation, economic growth, and trade and commerce that would be consistent with their respective domestic laws and international obligations, and with their wide-ranging strategic partnership.
Both sides, through the MoC, affirm cooperation in the international arena including in the United Nations; Discussing and sharing strategies and best practices to promote the integrity of the supply chain of ICT products; Strengthening the security of ICT infrastructure through Government-to-Government and Business-to-Business cooperation; Continuing dialogue and engagement in Internet governance fora, and to support active participation by all the stakeholders of the two countries in these fora.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people on Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ramdas Ji
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people on the occasion of the Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ramdas Ji.
"Sri Guru Ramdas Ji placed great emphasis on serving others, ending all forms of inequality and discrimination. His quest for a kind and harmonious society inspires us all. Greetings on the Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Ramdas Ji", the Prime Minister said.